244 Medicine. 



comparative view of the functions of man and 

 other animals. The Hunters, the Monros, and 

 most of the other distinguished anatomists of the 

 late century, laboured in this field v^ith the utmost 

 zeal and assiduity. The great anatomical work 

 planned by Vicq-d'-Azyr, which was mentioned 

 under the preceding head, was principally designed 

 to deduce a body of physiological principles, which, 

 Ly comparison, might illustrate the functions of 

 the whole animal kingdom. The numerous com- 

 parative inquiries concerning animals of warm and 

 cold blood, and those which, in respect of the 

 function of generation, are distinguished into vi- 

 viparous and oviparous, have already thrown much 

 new and important light on this branch of know- 

 ledge, and opened a train of investigation which 

 hereafter will probably lead to still more interest- 

 ing results. Mr. Blumenbach, of Goettingen, 

 whose physiological labours deserve very high 

 praise, has greatly distinguished himself by his 

 Specimen Plujsiologi^ comparatte inter animantia 

 calidi sanguinis Vivipara et Oviparaf The re- 

 cent w^ork of M. CuviER, on comparative anato- 

 my, furnishes an abundance of the materials re- 

 quisite for the extension and improvement of this 

 part of science. 



AVithin a few years the irritability of vegetables 

 has attracted much of the attention of physiolo- 

 gists; and the interesting facts which it offers have 

 been naturally combined with the great body of 

 corresponding facts presented by the animal king- 

 dom. Such general views penetrate deeply into 

 the economy of nature, and the light they afford 

 may be clearly discerned in an estimate of the 

 progress and present state of medical opinions. 

 To the account before given of the labours of 



/ Vide Cmm»nf. Soc, Re^, Sslent. Cott'm^. vol. b:. 



